Providence Teen Shot And Killed: Second Shooting Connected

PROVIDENCE, RI — A 15-year-old student was shot and killed Wednesday by another teen outside Providence Career and Technical Academy. The victim has been identified as William Parsons, a student at Central High School.

Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements told reporters the teen was shot following a fight outside the vocational high school. Authorities said Parsons wasn't involved with the fight, but was an innocent bystander.

Parsons was rushed to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Clements did not reveal Parsons' identity at the time but an automated message sent out to parents said he went to school at Central High School.

In a Thursday press conference, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said violence such as this will not be accepted in his city.

"This is devastating tragedy for the family and our city," Elorza said. "I am heartbroken for the family of the victim and for the students and adults who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy."

Police said a person of interest is in custody. The suspect's identity hasn't been released as he is 16. He was taken to the hospital with a non life-threatening gunshot wound in the thigh. It's not known at this time when the arraignment will be.

A second teen was shot less than a mile away about an hour after the shooting at Providence Career and Technical Academy. The Boston Globe reported that the victim in this shooting is the suspect in the first.

Police said the suspect is 16-years-old and suffered a non life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg. They said he accidentally shot himself.

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